‘I’ve also investigated other women.’
‘You didn’t say why.’
‘One answer at a time. I have something to do here, and I need a woman to help
me. She has to be quick and strong and very brave and intelligent. And
desperate.’
He looked around the room as if anybody who lived in it had to be desperate
indeed.
‘I know your history,’ he said. ‘You came from a fairly well-to-do family, and
as a child you lived in the Eastern quarter. You were not born and bred in the
Maze, and you want to get out of it. You’ve worked hard, but you just are not
going to succeed in your ambition. Not unless something unusual comes your way
and you have the courage to seize it, no matter what the consequences might be.’
‘This has to do with Benna and the jewel, doesn’t it?’ she said.
He studied her face by the flickering light of the lamp.
‘Yes.’
He paused.
‘And the purple mage.’
Masha sucked in a deep breath. Her heart thudded far more swiftly than her
fatigue could account for. A coldness spread from her toes to the top of her
head, a not unpleasant coldness.
‘I’ve watched in the shadows near your building,’ he said. ‘Many a night. And
two nights ago I saw the Raggah steal into other shadows and watch the same
window. Fortunately, you did not go out during that time to midwife. But
tonight…’
‘Why would the Raggah be interested in me?’
He smiled slowly.
‘You’re smart enough to guess why. The mage thinks you know more than you let on
about the jewel. Or perhaps he thinks Benna told you more than you’ve repeated.’
He paused again, then said, ‘Did he?’